Electronic multipurpose seal with passive transponder

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a system for sealing, comprising:
         a first capsule ( 20 );   a second capsule ( 30 );   electronic means ( 23, 33 ), for placing in at least one of the capsules, and capable of containing an electronic identity that is remotely interrogatable; and   closure means ( 25 - 1, 25 - 2, 25 - 3, 25 - 4; 35 - 1, 35 - 2, 35 - 3, 35 - 4 ) to seal the two capsules together.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a seal system, or a system for use as a seal,in order to mark articles that are to be identified over time.

Seals of this type are used for example to monitor shipping and/orstorage of goods or equipment. A particular application relates tonuclear materials, which require high levels of safety for trackingand/or inspection.

There exists a type of seal, known as an “E type seal” or as a“copper-brass” type seal, which is used in large numbers (about 20,000pieces per year) by the Energy XVII Directorate General (EuratomSafeguards) of Luxembourg, and also by the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA) of Vienna.

That commercial seal is simple and inexpensive. It is made up of twocapsules, a copper capsule and a brass capsule. FIGS. 1A and 1B show thecopper portion 2 in outside view (FIG. 1A) and in inside view (FIG. 1B).FIGS. 2A and 2B show the brass portion 4 in outside view (FIG. 2A) andit inside view (FIG. 2B). The identity of this seal is obtained using adrop of tin 6 which is placed inside the capsules, and then scratched inrandom manner so as to obtain a unique pattern 8. The capsules aresnap-fastened together in order to close the seal while it is in use,and one of the capsules contains two orifices 10, 12 for passing the twoends of an optionally multi-stranded, wire or non metallic cord, forconnecting together the elements that are to be sealed. For example,when sealing a door or a cupboard, the cord passes through the handles.The two ends of the cord are then knotted together inside the brasscapsule 4, and the seal is closed.

The closed seal together with its cord 14, is shown in FIGS. 3A (copperside view) and 3B (brass side view).

The seal is used and its identity is inspected as follows.

Before installing the seal, the identities of the two capsules arephotographed and then stored digitally in a database. That is anarchiving step. An identity number etched on the capsule containing theidentities is also archived as the number of the seal, in correlationwith the two capsule identities.

During installation of the seal, its identity number is correlated withdata such as: date of installation, place . . .

In order to inspect the seal, a subsequent inspection is performed. Aninspector cuts the cord 14 and takes the seal to analysis premises(headquarters) where it is cut open. Its two identities are photographedand correlated by optical superposition with the reference identities inthe archive.

Such a seal is of low cost, and it is simple to implement. Nevertheless,it is somewhat difficult to inspect, and inspection is also quiteexpensive. The cost of such a seal, including inspecting its identity,is of the order of 140 euros. In addition, it is not possible to inspectits identity on site and in real time, which means that a seal that hasalready been installed needs to be replaced regularly in order for it tobe inspected in the analysis premises. When inspection is performed,there is therefore one seal which is being analyzed and another sealwhich has had to be installed to replace the seal being inspected.

In another aspect, it is not possible to read such a seal withoutremoving it or damaging it.

In certain circumstances, inspection as explained above, althoughapparently simple, is quite difficult. This applies in particular if theseal is immersed.

The identification technique is not very easy: in particular it isnecessary to photograph the identities and to correlate them with thenumber on the outside of the seal. All of those operations are lengthyand require handling which can lead to errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention seeks to solve these problems by proposing a seal forinterconnecting elements that are to be sealed together, this sealcomprising first and second capsules for sealing together and electronicmeans for placing in at least one of the capsules, the electronic meansbeing capable of containing an identity of the seal and of beinginterrogated remotely.

Closure means enable the two capsules to be closed together.

Means are preferably provided for verifying whether or not this seal hasbeen opened since being closed.

These means are preferably irreversible or single-use closure means. Itis impossible to open them without destroying or damaging or markingthem, at least in part. In other words, the seal cannot be openedwithout destroying or damaging or marking the closure means, at least inpart.

The capsules are preferably provided with mechanical means for revealingbreakage or deformation.

It is thus easy to verify whether or not the capsules have already beenopened.

In the invention, the tin identities that used to be found inside thecapsules are replaced by electronic identities or “codes”, likewiseplaced inside the capsules. The identity of a seal can be read by activereader means.

The electronic means are preferably passive, thus requiring no powersupply device or battery, thereby reducing the space occupied within thecapsule in which they are installed.

The electronic means can be of the passive electronic transponder type,containing a digital code.

The effectiveness or security of the device is improved when usingrespective electronic means in each of the capsules. With twotransponders, it is preferable for their axes to be disposed at 90° toeach other.

In one embodiment, the seal system of the invention can be fixed bymeans of a cord, which is locked inside the seal without using a knot.

Using capsules that are made of plastics material enables effectivenessand reading distance to be improved.

It is preferable to use a material that presents plastic deformationcharacteristics. Any attempt at opening a seal made of such materialwill generally give rise to one or other portion of this seal becomingdeformed, and in particular its closure means. Such deformation is easyto see in a plastically deformable material, since it leaves at leastone mark therein.

One particularly suitable material it is based on at least 25% ABS.

In general, the device of the invention is inspected as follows:

-   -   a reader device is moved up to a seal that contains an        electronic identifier;    -   an electromagnetic wave is sent to the seal; and    -   the electronic identifier responds by re-emitting a wave        containing information about its electronic identity.

The data can then be stored and/or transferred to a computer forlong-term storage and/or analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The characteristics and advantages of the invention appear better in thelight of the following description. This description relates toembodiments given by way of non-limiting explanation, and with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 2B represent various portions of a seal that is known in theprior art;

FIGS. 3A and 3B represent a prior art seal in its closed positiontogether with a cord;

FIGS. 4A to 5D show various portions of a seal of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an electronic device (transponder) suitable for use with aseal of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show as seal of the invention mounted with a cord,respectively ready for closing, and then closed;

FIG. 8 shows a device for reading the identity of the seal of theinvention;

FIG. 9 shows a variant of a seal of the invention;

FIGS. 10A to 10C show another embodiment of a seal of the invention;

FIGS. 11A to 11C show steps in a method of making a seal of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a device for implementing the above method; and

FIG. 13 shows a device of the invention in use and being read.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5D are various views of two capsules 20 and 30 of aseal of the invention.

The two capsules 20 and 30 are approximately cylindrical in shape, andthey include means for closing the seal when in use. For example, theyare designed to engage one in the other or to snap-fasten one to theother, and they are thus provided with a system or with means forsnap-fastening or for mutual engagement, or with means for clippingtogether (closure by clip fastening).

In the closed position, the assembly is also sealed and it cannot beopened without destroying or deforming or marking the seal, at least inpart.

Each capsule can have a location 24, 34 for receiving a respectiveelectronic identity device 23, 33. A seal of the invention can alsooperate with only a single electronic identity device, in which caseonly one location is provided for receiving such a device, in only oneof the two capsules.

In one embodiment, the closure or snap-fastening means essentiallycomprise one or more tenons 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4 situated at theperiphery of one of the capsules (FIG. 4A), and one or morecorresponding mortises 35-1, 35-2, 35-3, 35-4 situated at the peripheryof the other capsule (FIG. 5A). While the seal is being closed by mutualengagement or snap-fastening, each tenon 25-i (male portion of thesnap-fastening system) penetrates into a corresponding mortise 35-i(female portion).

By way example, one of the two capsules 20 comprises a base 21 ofapproximately cylindrical shape, with the tenons 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4being disposed at one end thereof.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the same capsule can alsocomprise a ring 22 that is likewise substantially cylindrical in shape,having an outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the base21. Around this ring 22, and thus set back from the outside surface ofthe base 21 and from the tenons 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4, there is formeda rib 26 of approximately trapezoidal section.

In this embodiment, the other capsule 30 has a wall 31 that is likewiseapproximately cylindrical in shape. On the inside periphery of this wallthere is formed a groove 36 of approximately trapezoidal sectioncorresponding to the rib 26 of the first capsule 20.

The rib 26 could be of some other shape. For example it could beapproximately triangular in section. In which case the groove 36 is ofcorresponding shape, and specifically triangular in the examplementioned.

A substantially cylindrical collar 38 can also be formed inside thecapsule 30. As shown in FIG. 5B, this collar extends in a directionparallel to be axis of symmetry of the capsule, at least as far as thegroove 36.

When the two capsules are moved towards each other to be snap-fastenedone in the other, the tenons are inserted into the mortises, and thering 22 is inserted between the two cylindrical walls 31 and 38. Byapplying pressure, the tenons are fully inserted into the mortises, andthe rib 26 is inserted into the groove 36.

The tenons can be extracted from the mortises only by forcing thesnap-fastening system. The same applies to the rib 26, which cannot beextracted from the groove of 36 without being forced.

The snap-fastening means of the device of the invention, and inparticular the combinations both of tenons and mortises, and also of therib 26 and the groove 36 act as indicators of breakage or deformation inthe event of an attempt at opening the seal. Such an attempt leavesmarks, and/or scratches, and/or breakage of the snap-fastening means,and thus in the embodiment described, of the tenons, and/or of themortises, and/or of the rib, and/or of the groove.

In this respect, a particularly advantageous embodiment is one in whicheach tenon is in the form of a triangular arrowhead or tip with a narrowbase 27. The corresponding female portion, or mortise, (FIG. 5D)presents the corresponding triangular arrowhead or tip shape withprojecting lips 37-1, 37-2 situated at the base. These lips co-operatewith the narrow base 27 of the tenon so that the male portion (tenon) isinserted into the female portion (mortise) without any possibility ofbeing extracted therefrom, other than by using force.

An electronic device suitable for use in the seal of the invention isshown in FIG. 6. It comprises a passive electronic transpondercontaining a digital code.

A transponder is a device that transmits the information it has inmemory when it is activated by a transceiver. It may optionally storenew information.

A transponder can be of the half-duplex type (HDX) or of the full-duplextype (FDX), where “half-duplex” means that it transmits its informationafter the transceiver has ceased to transmit the activating field andwhere “full-duplex” means that it transmits its information while thetransceiver is transmitting the activating field.

Suitable transponders and their methods of interrogation are describedin international standard document ISO 11785: 1996 (F) and in itsappendices.

More precisely, such a device comprises antenna-forming means e.g. aportion 48 constituted by a ferrite core and a coil wound around thecore, together with an electronic portion 49 incorporating memory means50 and a capacitor 51. Connection wires 52 interconnect that twoportions 48 and 49. Any attempt at opening the seal will break thesewires or the ferrite, or the antenna coil, thereby constitutingadditional monitoring means for the seal. On subsequent interrogation ofthe transponder, it will be seen immediately that the device is notoperating properly.

By way of example, such a transponder is described in document EP 480530.

An example of a suitable transponder is an injectable Tiris model madeby Texas Instruments having a length of 23 millimeters (mm) and adiameter of 3.8 mm. It is encapsulated without its glass tube in one orboth of the capsules 20, 30, thereby making it possible to obtain adegree of mechanical integrity for the identifier. This half-duplextransponder contains a unique code programmed in the factory on 64 bits.Because of the code structure used, 274,877,906,944 digital codecombinations are possible.

It is also possible to use other transponders, which can be of the fullduplex, programmable, or multi-page type. For reasons of cost, ease ofuse, mass production, and reading distance, the above-specified Tiristransponder was selected for the initial prototypes.

The seal of the invention can be installed in the same manner as theprior art seal described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Means are provided in particular for attaching the seal to an externaldevice, from inside the seal, or indeed for interconnecting two elementsthat are to be sealed together.

Two orifices 32 can be provided for this purpose in one or other of thetwo capsules 20, 30.

A wire cord 40 can be knotted inside the capsules by passing through thetwo orifices (FIG. 5A, 7A). The seal can then be closed manually, merelyby applying pressure (FIG. 7B), with the knot in the cord then beingcontained and enclosed within the seal.

In other words, the means enabling this seal to be fixed to an externaldevices are such that the seal cannot be detached without being opened,thereby destroying, at least in part, the fixing means or the integritythereof (in this case: without cutting the cord).

The identity of the seal (transponder code numbers) can be read forexample by using a portable reader 42 (FIG. 8). By way of example, sucha reader can also include a display screen 44 and/or means for storingthe interrogated data.

The reader activates the transponder at radio frequency (RF), forexample at a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz (kHz). This RF wave chargesthe capacitor of the transponder. While the capacitor is discharging, itreturns a code or information written in the memory of the transponderto the reader.

The code of each interrogated transponder is thus returned to the reader42 and displayed on its liquid crystal screen 44, and/or stored in itsmemory, or transferred in real time via a serial interface to a portablecomputer. Software establishes correlation between the identity numberof the seal (the transponder code) and various data items, for examplethe place, and/or the date, and/or the name of the inspector whoinstalled the seal.

In an embodiment, two portable readers are used. The first is a DiehlDHP 102 reader (delivering an electric field of 104 dB μV/m at 3meters), connected to a small Psion Walkabout “palmtop” computer.

The second is a Gesimpex Gesreader IIS reader containing memory andsoftware, and provided with a keypad for manually inputting data,operating at the same frequency and with the same electric field as theDiehl. This reader is also fitted with an internal antenna and canreceive an external stick antenna for special uses.

The transponders are activated (at a frequency of 134.2 kHz) by means ofa radio module that can be connected to the end of the palmtop.

It is also possible to use other readers complying with ISO standards11784 and 11785 (already cited above). Those standards define the readmode, the modulation used, the recommended frequencies, the activationperiods, and in general manner all of the operating parameters for suchdevices.

The system developed in this way can read the identity of a seal at adistance lying the range direct contact to 30 centimeters (cm) (as afunction of the reader used), which suffices for most uses.

The security of the system as a whole is reinforced by using twotransponders (one each of the capsules 20, 30). Each transponderpossesses its own code, with the two codes (C₁, C₂) corresponding toeach other and corresponding to a single seal, e.g. identified by anumber. A database holds information relating to the seal numbers,together with the corresponding pairs of codes (C₁, C₂). If a personopens the seal and replaces one of the transponders (for example thetransponder having the code C₁), by some other transponder having thecode C′₁, then the new state (C′₁, C₂) of the pair of codes will nolonger correspond to a pair of codes that appears in the database. Thisenables the seal to provide finer surveillance.

A seal containing two transponders operates at its best when the twotransponders, or their axes of maximum sensitivity, are disposedperpendicularly to each other.

In order to ensure that the two transponders are properly positionedrelative to each other, it is possible to use seals whose closure meansare arranged asymmetrically on the capsules, or in other words whichdefine a single position in which the two capsules can be closedtogether.

Thus, FIG. 4C shows an embodiment in which one of the tenons 25-1 (shownin dashed lines) is larger than the others. The corresponding femaleportion in the capsule 30 is likewise of a size larger than that of theother female portions. This defines a single possible closure position.

Another embodiment of a capsule 120 is shown in FIG. 9. Three tenons125-1, 125-2, 125-3 are disposed at unequal distances from one another(the angles A and B are respectively 125° and 110°), the threecorresponding mortises being disposed in the same manner on the othercapsule. This likewise defines a single closure position.

In yet another embodiment, the four tenons are disposed at differentangles from one another. For example, the first and second tenons can beseparated by an angle A′, as can the second and third tenons, while thethird and fourth tenons are separated by an angle B′ (¹ A′), and thefourth and first tenons are separated by an angle C′ (C′¹B′ and C′¹ A′).The following values can be used: A′=90°, B′=85°, and C′=95°. Ingeneral, depending on the embodiment, the angles are selected in such amanner that at least two or three of the four angles are different fromone other.

In the above-described embodiments, the wire cord is knotted inside thecapsules. This requires the person responsible for closing the seal totie a knot in the cord 40, which takes time, even though the environmentmight be dangerous. For example, such seals are placed on boxescontaining nuclear materials, and/or the operator might be physically ina position that is unstable, e.g. on a ladder.

In order to solve this problem, another embodiment enables the cord 40to be locked inside the seal without it being necessary to tie a knot inthe cord.

This embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.

In these figures, references identical to references used in FIGS. 4A to5D represent elements that are identical or similar to those describedabove with reference to those figures.

In particular, the seal in FIGS. 10A and 10B comprises two capsules 20,30, e.g. capsules that are approximately circular in shape, and it alsocomprises means for closing the seal while it is in use. These twocapsules engage one in the other as already described above, using asystem of tenons 225-1, . . . , 225-4 and mortises 235-1, . . . , 235-4.These means preferably define a single closure position.

Inside the capsule 30, a groove 34 serves to receive an electronicidentity device 133 of the type already described above. By way ofexample, this groove can be defined by two walls or ribs 34-1, 34-2 e.g.disposed on either side of the diameter of the capsule 30, as shown inFIG. 10A.

Holes 82, 83, 84, and 85 serve to receive a cord such as a wire cord 40.By way of example, one of the ends of the cord is inserted into the hole82, and then leaves the capsule 30 via the hole 83, while the other endis inserted into the capsule via the hole 84 and leaves via the hole 85.

The other capsule 20 also has two ribs 86, 88. When the seal is in theclosed position, these ribs are designed to be disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the ribs defining the groove 34. For this purpose,they have middle openings 90, 92 through which the ribs 34-1, 34-2 passwhen the seal is in the closed position. Lateral ribs 86-1, 86-2, 88-1,88-2 come to bear against the strands of cord 40 which are locatedinside the seal, when the seal is in the closed position.

Thus, in FIG. 10C the shoulders 86-1 and 88-1 are shown as bearingagainst the cord 40 inside the seal. The other two shoulders 86-2 and88-2 come to bear against the other portion 40-2 (not visible in FIG.10C) of the cord 40 that is likewise situated inside the seal.

The ribs 86 and 88 can define and groove 24 containing an electronicidentity device 123 of the same type as that described above. Thisdevice is not shown in FIG. 10C.

In this embodiment, at least one hole or orifice is provided forreceiving a strand or an end of the cord 40 inside the seal while in theopen position. Means are provided inside the seal for locking thisstrand or cord within the seal when the seal is closed.

A second orifice enables the other strand or end of the cord to beinserted into the seal in the same manner as the first strand or end.Second locking means enable this second strand or end to be lockedinside the seal after it has been inserted into the seal.

In the embodiment described, the locking means comprise at least onelocking rib on either side that locks the cord against an inside surfaceof the other capsule. In FIG. 10C, the cord is locked against the bottomof the capsule 30.

In a variant, the seal contains only one electronic identity device 123received in the capsule 20 between the ribs 86 and 88, the other capsule30 containing only the strands or ends of the cord 40. The cord is thenlocked in the same manner as that described above.

An additional rib 131 can be provided transversely at the bottom of thecapsule 31 to provide even more effective locking of the cord 40 insidethe seal by co-operating with thrust from the shoulders 86-1, 88-1 orfrom the ribs 86, 88.

Once the two strands or ends of the cord have been locked inside theseal, the outside portion of the cord constitutes a loop which passesthrough two portions of a lock or through two holes pierced in a doorand in a fixed portion of a door frame, for example, and as shown belowin FIG. 13.

The cord 40 is thus initially passed via the elements that are to bekept closed (e.g. through the holes 76 and 80 in FIG. 13), then one ofits strands is inserted into the holes 82 and 83 of the seal, as shownin FIG. 10A, and the other strand is subsequently inserted into theholes 84 and 85. This seal is then closed, locking the cord insidewithout any knot needing to be tied.

Although the seal of the invention can be made of copper or of brass, itis preferably made of a plastics material so that any attempt at openingthe seal leaves marks on the plastics material. A particularly suitablematerial is ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

ABS material also gives the seal of the invention excellenteffectiveness in reading, close to 100%, which is better than theeffectiveness obtained with seals made of brass, copper, or aluminum.

In addition, ABS presents plastic deformation characteristics. If it isdeformed (as happens when an attempt is made to tamper with a seal ofthe invention) then traces of deformation remain. A seal made out ofsuch a material therefore possesses a high degree of security.

In particular, it is possible to use a thermoplastic material obtainedby mixing polycarbonate (PC, Makrolon) and acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS, Novodur), such as Bayblend ref T85MN from BAYER.

Bayblend ref T85MN presents a softening point value of 8 (about 130VST/B ° C.) on the Vicat B scale. An index of 5 means that the substancehas not been modified.

Depending on its exact composition, a PC-ABS mixture remainsdimensionally stable on heating to a temperature lying in the range 110°C. to 134° C. The limits of this range are thus the correspondingtemperatures for ABS and for PC.

The rigidity and the hardness of a PC-ABS mixture (with at least 25%ABS; e.g.: 30% ABS and 70% PC) are conferred by the PC. Bayblend isremarkable essentially for high impact strength and its ability toelongate without breaking.

A PC-ABS mixture and in particular Bayblend also provides excellentelectrical insulation properties. Its bulk resistivity is 10¹² ohmcentimeters (W cm), its surface and resistivity is 10 ¹⁴ W cm, and itsbreakdown resistance is 24 kilovolts per millimeter; these mixtures areinfluenced very little by variations in temperature or humility.

The most important characteristics of such a mixture are stabilityagainst thermal deformation, toughness, and rigidity.

A seal of thermoplastic material can be made by molding. The methodconsists in injecting a molten mass of material into a closed mold,which is subsequently cooled down. The plastics material solidifies andcan then be extracted from the mold.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the steps in such a method.

Initially (FIG. 11A) a mold 60 is closed. A plastics material isintroduced into an injection cylinder 62 while in the molten state. Itis injected into the mold 60 by means of a screw 64.

Thereafter (FIG. 11B) the screw is maintained in the advanced positionfor a certain length of time, so as to maintain the pressure of thematerial while it solidifies.

Once the material has solidified in the mold, the mold is opened and themolded material is released (FIG. 11C).

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a device for implementing the method. The mold60 and the injector device 62, 64 are mounted on a bench 66. Theassembly is controlled by a control unit 68.

Inside the seal, the electronic means can be fixed using a semi-rigidresin, without any solvent. For example this can be a resin based onpolyalcohol, castor oil, and calcium carbonate (catalyst:diphenylmethane diisocyanate). One such resin is known under the name“Diapol 508”. It is 100 percent polymerized and presents low waterabsorption. It hardens at ambient temperature and it is not chemicallyaggressive. Its dimensional stability is good and it provides goodadhesion on metals and on plastics.

The device of the invention with its electronic means capable of beingread or interrogated from outside the seal present the followingadvantages.

Firstly, the identity of the electronic means and thus of the seal canbe read while the seal remains closed, without the seal beingdisassembled or spoilt. It is also possible to inspect said identitywhile the seal is installed on site, likewise without disassembling ordamaging the seal. Reading can thus be performed quickly, and it doesnot require an operator to remain for any length of time close todevices having the seals applied thereto. When dangerous materials suchas nuclear materials are concerned, this time required for reading isparticularly critical.

The seal can also be read while it is immersed.

When using programmable or encryptable electronic means, and inparticular programmable or encryptable transponders, it is possible toencrypt the identities of the seals, thus providing a high level ofsecurity.

Using a reader to identify the identity of a seal makes inspectioneasier. It suffices to take the reader to each of the sites that is tobe inspected: there is no need to take each of the seals to a laboratoryor an analysis site which requires seal-opening means to be usedtogether with photographic identification means.

It is easy to store the identity read during an inspection, merely usinga simple serial computer link. It is possible to establish simplecorrelations between identities and inspection data. This results in asignificant saving in the time required for reading identities, and alsoreduces the cost of identification.

It is also possible to use multi-page transponders so as to store a widevariety of information, thereby further increasing the options madeavailable by the seal.

Finally, a system made it in this way is of relatively low cost, sinceit can be produced at a unit price of about 14 to 20 euros depending onthe quantities produced.

An application of the invention is shown in FIG. 13.

A box 72 contains material that is to be kept under seal, for examplenuclear materials (plutonium, uranium, . . . , etc). Both the box 7 andthe fixed portion of the box are pierced by respective holes 76 and 80.

The box is sealed by a device of the invention using a cord 40 thatpasses through the holes at 76 and 80. At least one of the capsules inthe device of the invention contains electronic identity means that canbe remotely interrogated.

During an inspection, a reader 42 is brought up to the seal andinterrogates the electronic identity means in the manner describedabove.

Coding information returned by the seal to the reader 42 cansubsequently be transmitted to a portable computer 70 in which the datais stored, and which can be used to perform subsequent analyses. Thedata can also be stored and processed in the reader 42 itself, withoutthe reader being connected to a portable computer. Data can thus be readsimply and very quickly.

The example shown comprises a box containing nuclear material. Otherapplications relate to boxes containing electrical equipment (e.g.: anelectricity meter) or containing gas meters, or containing food when itis desired to be certain that it has not been tampered with (e.g. oil).

1. A system for sealing, comprising: a first capsule (20); a secondcapsule (30); electronic means (23, 33), for placing in at least one ofthe capsules, and capable of containing an electronic identity that isremotely interrogatable; and closure means (25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4;35-1, 35-2, 35-3, 35-4), to seal the two capsules together, comprisingat least a male portion situated at the periphery of one of thecapsules, and at least a female portion situated at the periphery of theother capsule, the two portions snap-fastening together.
 2. A systemaccording to claim 1, the capsules being provided with indicators toindicate breakage or deformation.
 3. A system according to claim 1, saidmale portion (25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4) and female portion (35-1, 35-2,35-3, 35-4), co-operating in such a manner as to form an assembly thatcan be opened only by force.
 4. A system according to claim 1, theclosure means including at least one tenon and mortise assembly.
 5. Asystem according to claim 1, the two capsules are being substantiallycylindrical in shape, one of the capsules (20) having a rib (26) whichco-operates with a groove (36) formed in an inside surface of the othercapsule (30).
 6. A system according to claim 1, the closure means of thetwo capsules defining a single closure position.
 7. A system accordingto claim 6, the closure means being separated around the two capsulesand defining angles between one another, at least two of the anglesbeing different.
 8. A system according to claim 1, the electronic means(23, 33) being passive electronic means.
 9. A system according to claim1, the electronic means (23, 33) being programmable electronic means.10. A system according to claim 1, the electronic means (23, 33)comprising at least one electronic transponder capable of being encodeddigitally.
 11. A system according to claim 10, including two passiveelectronic transponders capable of being encoded digitally.
 12. A systemaccording to claim 1, the electronic means (23, 33) including one ormore wires (52) suitable for being broken by the system being openedafter the system has once been closed.
 13. A system according to claim1, further comprising means (32) enabling the system to be fixed to anexternal device.
 14. A system according to claim 13, further comprisingmeans (40) for fixing it to an external device.
 15. A system accordingto claim 1, including at least one opening (82-84) for passing a cord(40) and cord-locking means for locking the cord inside the system onceit has been inserted therein and the system has been sealed.
 16. Asystem according to claim 15, the cord-locking means comprising at leastone rib (86, 88) formed in one of the capsules.
 17. A system accordingto claim 1, one of the capsules including first and second orifices(82-85) for inserting a cord, the other capsule including first andsecond ribs (86, 88) which press against the cord when the two capsulesare sealed together.
 18. A system according to claim 17, the first andsecond ribs defining a groove (24) for receiving electronic meanssuitable for containing an electronic identity and suitable for beinginterrogated remotely.
 19. A system according to claim 1, includingfirst and second cord-insertion orifices (82-85) and first and secondinternal ribs which press against the cord when the capsules are sealedtogether.
 20. A system according to claim 1, the capsules (20, 30) beingmade of plastics material.
 21. A system according to claim 1, thecapsules (20, 30) being made of a material that presents plasticdeformation characteristics.
 22. A system according to claim 21, thematerial comprising at least 25% ABS.
 23. A seal system comprising afirst capsule (20) and a second capsule (30), and electronic means (23,33) disposed in at least one of the capsules, the electronic meanscontaining at electronic identity and being suitable for beinginterrogated from outside the seal system, the two capsules being sealedtogether by means of at least a male portion situated at the peripheryof one of the capsules, and at least a female portion situated at theperiphery of the other capsule, the two portions snap-fasteningtogether.
 24. A seal system according to claim 23, the electronic means(23, 33) comprising at least one passive electronic transponder.
 25. Asystem according to claim 24, including a passive electronic transponderin each of the capsules.
 26. A system according to claim 25, the twotransponders being disposed perpendicularly relative to each other. 27.A seal system according to claim 23, the system including first andsecond orifices (32, 82, 83) for passing a cord (40).
 28. A seal systemaccording to claim 23, further comprising a cord (40) for fixing theseal system.
 29. A seal system according to claim 28, the cord beinglocked in a system of without using a knot.
 30. A system according toclaim 28, the cord being locked in the seal system between a wall of oneof the capsules and a rib (86, 88) or a shoulder (86-1, 86-2, 88-1,80-2) of a rib (86, 88) formed in the other capsule.
 31. A method ofinspecting a seal system according to claim 23 in which a reader device(42) is brought up to the seal, a wave is sent to the system, and a wavetransmitted by the system is received, which wave contains informationconcerning the electronic identity.
 32. A method according to claim 31,the reader device including a storage means, and means for manuallyinputting data.
 33. A method according to claim 31, the data concerningthe electronic identity information being transferred to a computer(70).
 34. A method according to claim 31, the seal system being attachedto a container (72) containing nuclear material, or electrical material,or foodstuff.